Customer Reviews

Jolly Roger with an Uzi: The Rise and Threat of Modern Piracy

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This subject is hard to get a handle on and the authors do make an attempt in a slim volume of work. But sadly, what I saw was the InternationalMaritime Bureau report on piracy, three years out of date.

However, this is a good faith effort, details are hard to find, but, of course I would have liked more. Much of these incidents are sketchy, little more than a report on ship name, location of attack and what was taken.

The authors do make the point that piracy is still rare, but it is a violent crime and does affect maritime community -- who wants a shotgun stuck in your face as they rob all your personal possession?

The book lacks good methods for crews to counter piracy, "Maritime Terror," although a slimer volume, has more meat on that subject.

The authors spent some time handwringing on whether to carry arms or use firehoses to repel boarders. They didn't spend much effort on what a ship could do to prevent boarding in the first place, other than suggest "wagging the tail."

They did suggest one very good method of combating piracy, which was to insert special forces onboard during hih risk transits under a UN flag, but didn't flush that out in any detail.

Also, I would have liked to have seen an overview of shipping lane traffic, the shippers, their cargo, and how those ships are crewed. They did give gross numbers in a risk analysis, but that could have made a good chapter.

Finally, the risk to pleasure boats was lightly touched on. I would have liked to have seen a map plotting high risk waters, something to avoid. Also, a plot of all incidents and a rating of high risk ports.

Overall, I was dissapointed. I expected a better book from the US Naval Institute.

Jolly Roger With An Uzi lays out the history, rise and threat of modern piracy on the high seas. Reported pirate attacks have increased more than 80% (with a large number believed to go unreported), and this much needed expose warns seafarers of the scope and ferocity of today's maritime violence, suggesting actions that can be taken to be secure on the oceans of the world. While pirate assaults principally occur in the waters off Indonesia, Brazil, Somalia, and the South China Sea, no location is entirely safe. Today's pirates use highspeed boats and automatic weapons, plan their attacks carefully, utilize information gained through government agencies in seaports, and cost severe economic losses, mounting deaths of mariners, and horrific tragedies for sea-going passengers. Jolly Roger With An Uzi also offers suggestions for American policy reforms, new roles for government agencies, military, and maritime enforcement unites, as well as a redefinition of jurisdictions on the high seas. A unique and long needed clarion call of alarm, Jolly Roger With An Uzi is highly recommended reading for students of international studies, maritime studies, maritime enforcement personnel, and the business community engaged in maritime shipping.

AS A PLEASURE BOATER WITH EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE IN SAILING THE CARIBEAN, I FOUND JOLLY RODGER WITH AN UZI TO BE A MOST FASCINATIONG READ. ANYONE WHO GOES ANYWHERE ON THE OCEAN SHOULD BUY IT.

A great book a book on a very rare crime.I think there's more modern pircay attacks then people think.